Violence against Aboriginal, First Nations, Native American, Indigenous women. This forum looks at the issues, news updates, initiatives. This forum is dedicated to the families and friends of the hundreds of women who are missing or have been identified as murder victims throughout Turtle Island. We acknowledge the Creator's blessings on their souls and spirits in their new journey.

Unanimous support from Manitoba politicians - they voted in favour of making October 4ththe official day to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)

"I say meegwetch to all members of the assembly who supported Bill 221 to honour Manitoba's missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and their families," said Manitoba NDP MLA Nahanni Fontaine who sponsored the bill.

WHEREAS more than 1,200 Indigenous women and girls in Canada have gone missing or been murdered since 1980, according to police reports;

AND WHEREAS for decades their families have called for greater recognition of the crisis of violence against Indigenous women and girls;

AND WHEREAS the tragic issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada has garnered attention and support throughout Manitoba, Canada and the international community;

AND WHEREAS advocacy by their families, with the support of Indigenous women's organizations, led to the creation of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls;

AND WHEREAS vigils honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls are held across Canada on October 4 each year, raising public awareness and building a movement of social change in respect of violence against Indigenous women and girls;

AND WHEREAS families of Manitoba's missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls have called for an official day of awareness to honour their daughters, mothers, sisters, grandmothers, partners and friends;

THEREFORE HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows:

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day1 In each year, October 4 is to be known throughout Manitoba as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day.

C.C.S.M. reference2 This Act may be referred to as chapter M198 of the Continuing Consolidation of the Statutes of Manitoba.

Coming into force3 This Act comes into force on the day it receives royal assent.

Explanatory NoteThis Bill proclaims October 4 in each year as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day.